ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death, on Saturday, 7th February 2026, of Lieutenant-Colonel Jim (Séamus) Dawson, South Circular Road, Limerick, late of Bishopstown, Cork and Cappa, Kilrush, County Clare. Peacefully and unexpectedly, at Áras Chois Fharraige, An Spidéal, in his hundredth year. Beloved husband of the late Nellie and the late Margaret (Peggie). Sadly missed by his sons Tony, Niall and Denis. Mourned by his loving daughters-in-law Liz and Muriel (Higgins), sisters Patricia (Lane), Enda (Jansen-Dawson) and Sister Clare Dawson, C.P., grandchildren Sophia, Ciaran, Thomas, Emily and David, brother-in-law Joe (Carmody), sisters-in-law Colette (Nix) and Laurie (Kelleher), nephews, nieces, extended family, Defence Forces comrades and friends. Pre-deceased by his sisters Goldie (Afford), Assumpta (Young) and brother Colonel Leo.
May His gentle Soul Rest In Peace
Jim Dawson was born on 12th April 1926 in Callan, County Kilkenny and moved to Cappa, near Kilrush in County Clare, when he was 7. In 1940, when he was just 14, Jim enlisted in the Local Security Force (LSF) where his father, a Garda Superintendent, was the officer in charge of the local unit. (The LSF was an auxiliary police and security force established during The Emergency.) In 1946 Jim enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 20 Cadet Class. Commissioned into the Artillery Corps on 11th November 1948 he was posted to 2 Field Artillery Regiment, McKee Barracks Dublin and underwent the 6-month Artillery Young Officers Course in Magee Barracks, Kildare Town. Postings followed with 1 Field Artillery Regiment in Ballincollig Military Post and as a Training Officer with the Tralee, Dingle and Killorglin Battalions of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil in County Kerry. (These units would become 15 Infantry Battalion following the 1959 reorganisation.) Now married and promoted to Captain, Jim was posted to Spike Island, County Cork, with the Coast Defence Artillery. After five and half years Jim and his family were ready to move from this isolated and lonely island, and he went as Captain Quartermaster to Ballincollig.
In 1961 Jim served overseas as Captain Quartermaster with 1 Infantry Group ONUC in the Congo. He also served in Cyprus at UNFICYP HQ.
He was Officer Commanding 23 Infantry Battalion (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) in 1977 and in 1978 promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel saw him posted as Command Quartermaster and then District Barracks Officer in the Southern Command. During this time he was also the Southern Command representative on the CAOGA Committee where his caring and supportive personality were very evident. Jim retired from the Defence Forces in1986.
He was a very active member of the Artillery Club and in 2018 was unanimously elected as an Honorary Member of the Club at its Annual General Meeting.
Reposing at Conneely’s Funeral Home, Flood Street, Galway (H91 A789) on Monday evening from 6 o’clock with Prayers at 7 o’clock. Reposing at Saint Senan’s Church Kilrush, County Clare (V15 NW42) on Tuesday evening from 6 o’clock with Prayers at 7 o’clock. Funeral Mass on Wednesday morning (10th February) at 11 o’clock, followed by burial in New Shanakyle Cemetery.
The Mass can be viewed live at: https://www.kilrushparish.com/webcam/
Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to the Kilrush R.N.L.I.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Jim’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/jim-seamus-dawson-limerick-621038
